Hyderabad: Ex-bank employee caught growing ganja in rented 2BHK

He had learnt how to grow cannabis from seed with the help of video tips from an American friend.

A former bank employee has been held in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, for growing cannabis (ganja) in his two-bedroom rented apartment and selling it.

Special Task Force personnel on Sunday raided the apartment and seized the plants, but were left awe-struck with the facilities, including humidifiers and LED lights, being provided to the plants for the right ambience, The Times of India reported.

Syed Shahed Hussain, 33, was caught in the act while selling ganja to customers at Golconda on Sunday night.

He had learnt how to grow cannabis from seed with the help of video tips from an American friend.

Shahed has a bachelor's degree in psychology and had been staying at a rented flat at YK Residency in Friends Colony, Manikonda, for the past three months.

When police raided his flat, they found 40 ganja plants neatly placed in flower pots in two rooms.

"Shahed installed ACs in both rooms to maintain a conducive temperature. He also kept LED lights above the plants to maintain natural light-like situation and kept table fans in swing mode to give them sufficient air," Task Force additional deputy commissioner of police (DCP) N Koti Reddy told ToI.Shahed, himself a drug addict, began peddling drug for few years ago. Later, he thought of growing narcotics at home to raise profit and avoid trouble in getting the contraband from far-off places, and contacted his US-based friend Garith Christopher for tips.

"Based on Garith's advice, Shahed went through videos online and learnt the art of ganja cultivation. He purchased necessary material locally and started cultivation on a trial basis three months ago," said Task Force sub-inspector G Mallesh, who participated in the raid.